A NEW festival celebrating the history of Dorset has come to a close.

Free family fun day Hengefest on Sunday, July 31 rounded off the Home of Hillforts and Henges event, which ran from July 21 to 31 with activities taking place in various locations across Dorchester.

It celebrated the neolithic and iron age landscape of Dorset as well as the people who have lived there for more than 6,000 years.

Event organiser Miranda Woodgate, from Discover Dorchester speaking before the day of Hengefest said: “Home of Hillforts and Henges is an exciting addition to the town’s event calendar. The lectures at Dorset Museum have been very well attended, as have the guided walks over the landscape. Hengefest will be a fabulous finish to a very successful 10 days.”

A spokesperson from Dorset Museum in Dorchester said: "We had an amazing day yesterday at Hengfest to celebrate the end of the Festival of Archaeology 2022. A huge thank you to those involved with organising the event, we loved meeting and chatting with everyone."

The Home of Hillforts and Henges launched at Dorset Museum with a special open evening and lecture on the Ridgeway Vikings, one of many lectures to take place at the location, as well as various tours and activities including a new archaeological dig at the National Trust’s Max Gate with ‘Meet the Archaeologist’ sessions.

It was part of the National Council for British Archaeology’s ‘Festival of Archaeology’ and included guided walks, with one taking place at Maiden Castle, antique handling and family crafts at Dorset Museum.

Matilda Manley, Dorchester Town Council’s tourism development officer, said: “Dorchester is a very special place, not many towns can boast two iron age hillforts and three neolithic henges. These are fantastic features of our town that we should be celebrating, and it is great that we are now doing that.

“Maiden Castle is one of the biggest hillforts in Europe, Maumbury Rings has such an amazing history, starting as a sacred henge then being adopted by Romans for use as an amphitheatre.

“It is a great space that is still used and loved - it is brilliant to be celebrating its history and its importance to the town today."

Home of Hillforts and Henges was organised by Discover Dorchester and the Tourism Partnership, with the intent of promoting wellbeing and good mental health through appreciation and enjoyment of local nature.